United Kingdom Same Day Delivery Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032

United Kingdom Same Day Delivery Market Size

The United Kingdom same day delivery market reached a value of approximately USD 3,896.8 million in 2023. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.2% between 2024 and 2032, reaching a value of around USD 9,658.3 million by 2032.

United Kingdom Same Day Delivery Market Outlook

• The United Kingdom is the 3rd largest market for eCommerce market globally., The online retail sales for January 2024 in the UK accounted for USD 2.35 billion.

• International Distribution Services Plc, Gophr Limited, and CitySprint (UK) Ltd. are some major companies in the market.

• A substantial number of consumers in the UK prefer online grocery shopping. In February 2023, 13% of the UK’s population conducted online grocery shopping.

Figure: U.K E-commerce Sites by Visits (in millions), September 2023

Same-day delivery offers the convenience of having items delivered within a few hours after an order is placed. This shift in consumer behaviour and the instant economy’s ascent offers e-commerce businesses significant opportunities. As of August 2023, the UK e-commerce market accounted for 26.9% of the total retail sales. Major market players in the UK e-commerce market include Amazon, Sainsbury, and Tesco. In 2023, Amazon delivered its fastest order in 75 minutes in the UK.

One of the key factors driving the United Kingdom same day delivery market growth is the rising population density in prominent cities such as London, Birmingham and Liverpool. In 2024, the population density of the UK accounted for 281 P/Km2. Companies can adopt technology and infrastructure practices to relatively reduce delivery times and capitalise on the rising population density.

Key Trends and Developments

Flourishing e-commerce sector; technological advancements; rising population density; and the adoption of sustainable practices by key players are favouring the United Kingdom same day delivery market expansion

May 2024

Royal Mail announced its decision to install three new high-speed Parcel Sortation Machines (PSMs) in its mail centres in 2024, aiming to improve efficiency and meet the growing demand for next-day deliveries. The latest PSMs will be installed in Royal Mail’s Leeds, Plymouth, and Exeter mail centres, each increasing processing capabilities by 21,000 parcels per hour.

February 2024

FedEx Express Europe introduced new e-cargo bikes to complement its vehicle pick-up and delivery fleet in Greater London. Electric Assisted Vehicles (EAV) collaborated with FedEx Express to develop and test these new e-cargo bikes after receiving a £150,000 grant from the Department for Transport (DfT) through the Freight Innovation Fund.

October 2023

Amazon announced its intention to use drones to deliver parcels in the UK in under an hour. The online retail giant stated that the service will begin in one location, yet to be revealed, at the end of 2024. The company already offered drone deliveries in two US states for goods, weighing no more than 5 lbs (2.2kg).

September 2023

DHL Express reintroduced its international Same Day service for UK customers with urgent delivery requirements or items unsuitable for the standard Express network.

Expansion of the e-commerce sector

By 2025, the e-commerce revenue of the UK is expected to have an annual average growth rate of 12.6%. As of 2023, the UK is the 3rd largest e-commerce market globally. The changing consumer behaviour, coupled with the quick-to-complete internet shopping experience, expands the demand for same day delivery.

Rising technological advancements

The incorporation of warehouse automation and robotics, real-time monitoring, and an efficient routing algorithm, among others, streamlines the same-day delivery process, making it cost-effective, faster and reliable. Additionally, advancements in GPS technology allows companies and users to track their parcel locations.

Rising population density

The demand for same day delivery services is higher in urban cities, such as Manchester, Birmingham, and Liverpool. Since urban areas have a higher concentration of customers, they result in a larger volume of same day delivery orders. Players in the United Kingdom same day delivery market can capitalise on this trend by establishing hubs that are strategically located within urban areas.

Adoption of sustainable same day delivery practices

With rising concerns regarding vehicular emissions and traffic, companies in the market are investing in low-emissions electric vehicle technologies to optimise routes and carbon-neutral packaging. By adopting electric bikes, bamboo boxes, electric vehicles, drone charging stations operated with renewable energy sources, and carbon-free packaging, players are increasing their sustainability.

United Kingdom Same Day Delivery Market Trends

About 96.7% of the total population in the UK have access to online facilities. The increasing access to internet facilities is driving the adoption of e-commerce services. AI-enhanced delivery options tailored to consumer preferences and schedules are enhancing the efficiency of same-day delivery companies. Companies can provide increasingly personalised suggestions to customers based on their purchase history and schedule deliveries around customer’s daily routines.

Furthermore, in January 2024, the disposable incomes for the average UK household increased by 6.1% year-on-year to USD 182 per week. The rising disposable income among the population is significantly catering to a growing willingness to pay for premium and convenient services, thus, further supporting the United Kingdom same day delivery market growth.

Figure: Top 5 Populated Cities in the UK, 2024

United Kingdom Same Day Delivery Market Segmentation

The EMR’s report titled “United Kingdom Same Day Delivery Industry Report and Forecast 2024-2032” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Market Breakup by Mode of Transportation:

• Roadways

• Airways

• Railways

Market Breakup by Application:

• Retail and E-Commerce

• Documents and Letters

• Manufacturing

• Healthcare

• Others

Market Breakup by Size of End User:

• B2C

• B2B

• C2C

United Kingdom Same Day Delivery Market Share

By mode of transportation, roadways are expected to hold significant market share as they are the cost-effective solution for the transport of goods.

In 2022, about 175 billion tonne-kilometres of domestic freight was moved by roads. Some of the companies involved in roadway transport for delivering goods include Gladiator Logistics, Clintopia Transport, Brunel European Ltd, Denholm Good Logistics Ltd, and Clarion Shipping.

Airways are increasingly being preferred for the delivery of time-sensitive goods. In April 2024, Maersk Air Cargo announced that it would expand its 767-freighter footprint into the United Kingdom after setting up a new AOC in the country. The company provides priority air services, with estimated Airport-to-Airport transit time of 1-3 days.

The economic and social benefits provided by rail freight are valued at about EUR 2.45 billion every year. During 2021- 2022, about 78 million tonnes of freight was carried on the railways. This amounts to goods worth USD 3,05 billion.

Competitive Landscape

Major players in the United Kingdom same day delivery market are increasing their collaboration, partnership, and research and development activities

International Distribution Services Plc

Headquartered in the United Kingdom and founded in 1516, International Distribution Services Plc is an international business that provides postal and delivery services across extensive networks. The company provides various same day delivery services through its subsidiaries, which include Royal Mail, Parcelforce Worldwide and General Logistics Systems (GLS).

Gophr Limited

Headquartered in the United Kingdom and founded in 2014, Gophr Limited is a delivery tech company dedicated to reimagining same-day delivery to create an efficient and effective system. The company provides same day delivery services across different industry verticals, including retail, grocery, pharmacy, professional services and integrations.

CitySprint (UK) Ltd.

Headquartered in the United Kingdom and founded in 1975, CitySprint (UK) Ltd. is the UK's leading same-day distribution network, providing a comprehensive range of services, including SameDay Courier, and SameDay Logistics. The company also provides various same day delivery services, including same day courier, express same day courier and secure same day courier.

FedEx Corp.

Headquartered in the United States and founded in 1971, FedEx Corp. offers two same-day delivery options, including End of the Day and at a Specific time, tailored to the size and weight of the shipment.

Other key players in the United Kingdom same day delivery market include SpeedLink Transport Limited, Deutsche Post AG, Jump up Logistics Limited, MBE Worldwide S.P.A., JJX Limited, and CEVA Logistics.

Key Highlights of the Report

United Kingdom Same Day Delivery Market Report Snapshots

United Kingdom Same Day Delivery Market Size

United Kingdom Same Day Delivery Market Trends

United Kingdom Same Day Delivery Market Share

United Kingdom Same Day Delivery Companies